The AFL has scrapped the Opening Round experiment after three seasons and will return to a traditional nine-game first week.

League boss Andrew Dillon on Wednesday confirmed the demise of the much-criticised concept that featured four games played exclusively in Queensland and New South Wales between only a selection of eight clubs.

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Designed to build a foothold in rugby league heartland, it instead drew criticism given the fixturing created a staggered start and early-season byes.

Defending it in March, Dillon said Opening Round was “key” to growing the sport north of Victoria, citing record attendances and membership rises.

“What we’ve found in the last couple of years is that focus on NSW and Queensland is helping to grow awareness in NSW and Queensland and at the same time it hasn’t taken away from our Round 1,” Dillon said at the time.

But, with the season to begin a week later next year due to the MCG hosting the 150th anniversary cricket Test between Australia and England, it’s been taken out with the trash.

“We have been working through alternative options to deliver the start of the AFL season,” Dillon said in a statement.

“After important feedback from fans and stakeholders, and consultation with clubs and broadcasters, Round 1 will see the return of a traditional nine-game round played across the country.”

The first round will be played from Wednesday or Thursday, March 17 or 18, just days after the final day of the historic Ashes Test.

The 24-round home-and-away season will conclude on Sunday, August 30, with the five-week finals series beginning with two wildcard finals in the first week of September.

The grand final will be held on Saturday, October 2 and Gather Round in South Australia is locked in for April 8-11.